Key Takeaways
- The next revision of ISO 14001 is now underway, with a final version anticipated in 2026, subject to ISO’s development schedule.
- The update is expected to strengthen requirements on environmental performance, climate risk, lifecycle impacts, and embedding sustainability into business strategy.
- Organisations certified to ISO 14001:2015 will have a transition window (to be advised) once the revised ISO 14001:2026 standard is published.
- Transition-focused training and auditor updates will support organisations in understanding the new or clarified requirements.
- Certification to ISO 14001:2015 is expected to remain valid during the transition period.
What is ISO 14001:2026?
The forthcoming revision of ISO 14001 will update the globally recognised Environmental Management System (EMS) standard. It is expected to reflect modern environmental priorities, including climate resilience, resource efficiency, and the growing expectations of regulators, stakeholders, and society.
Why is ISO 14001:2015 Changing?
ISO standards are periodically reviewed to maintain relevance and effectiveness.
Since ISO 14001 was last updated in 2015, global environmental pressures have significantly increased – from climate change to biodiversity loss, supply chain transparency, and circular economy demands.
The upcoming revision aims to ensure the EMS structure remains robust, forward-looking, and aligned with emerging environmental expectations while preserving the core structure organisations are familiar with.
What Does ISO 14001:2026 Mean for Businesses?
- Already certified? Your organisation will need to transition to the revised standard within the designated transition window once it is released.
- Working toward certification? Stay aware of updates during the drafting process so your EMS planning aligns with the new version when it becomes mandatory.
ISO 14001:2026 Transition Timeline
| Milestone | Status |
|---|---|
| Current Live Standard | ISO 14001:2015 |
| Draft International Standard (DIS) | Published June 2025 |
| Anticipated Final Draft International Standard (FDIS) | Expected Q1 2026 (subject to ISO schedule) |
| Anticipated Publish Date | Expected Q2 2026 (subject to ISO schedule) |
| Transition Deadline | Likely 3 years from publication date |
Have questions about your transition? Reach out to our team.
Anticipated Changes to the Standard
General themes:
- Strengthened requirements around climate change, adaptation, and mitigation
- A deeper focus on biodiversity, ecosystem impact, and lifecycle considerations
- More explicit expectations for environmental data quality and performance metrics
- Increased alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals and global climate targets
- Clearer integration of EMS responsibilities across organisational governance
Evolution of ISO 14001 Timeline
Early environmental management efforts (1970s–1980s): Growing global concern about pollution, environmental impact, and sustainable development led organisations to begin adopting formal environmental management practices, laying the foundation for future standardisation.
- BS 7750 (1992): Published by the British Standards Institution, BS 7750 became the world’s first formal Environmental Management Systems (EMS) standard. It established structured environmental controls and directly influenced the creation of ISO 14001.
- ISO 14001:1996: The first edition of ISO 14001 was released in 1996, providing a globally aligned framework for organisations to manage environmental responsibilities and improve performance systematically.
- ISO 14001:2004: The 2004 revision strengthened environmental policy commitments, clarified requirements for legal compliance, and enhanced the emphasis on continual improvement and pollution prevention.
- ISO 14001:2015: The 2015 update introduced the high-level structure used across modern ISO management system standards. It brought a stronger focus on strategic environmental management, lifecycle thinking, leadership involvement, and external communication.
- ISO 14001 today: ISO 14001 has become one of the world’s leading environmental standards, used by organisations of all sizes to improve sustainability, reduce environmental impact, demonstrate compliance, and support responsible business practices.
- ISO 14001:202X (next revision): Work on the next revision aims to ensure the standard remains aligned with global sustainability priorities, emerging environmental risks, and evolving expectations around climate change, biodiversity, and the circular economy.
Looking to Transfer Your ISO 14001 Certification to British Assessment Bureau?Our experienced auditors and support teams can help you plan your transition timeline and align your audit cycle with the new revision once it is published.  |
Stay Informed about ISO 14001:2026
We will provide updates here as the revision progresses.
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FAQs: ISO 14001 Revision
Typically every 7–10 years, depending on global environmental and regulatory developments.
A final publication is expected in early-2026, subject to ISO confirmation.
During the transition window, certification to either version may be accepted, depending on accreditation body implementation policies.
If you hold integrated systems (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 45001), your transition may be aligned to optimise audit scheduling.
ISO 14001 undergoes periodic reviews by international experts to ensure it remains relevant to global environmental priorities. The current revision cycle is assessing whether updates are needed to reflect emerging environmental challenges, such as climate change, resource efficiency, and the circular economy.
ISO 14001:2026 is intended for any organisation that wants to manage its environmental responsibilities in a structured and proactive way. It is suitable for businesses of all sizes and sectors that aim to reduce environmental impact, demonstrate compliance, improve sustainability performance, or meet customer and regulatory expectations.
A new revision of ISO 14001 is currently under development. While “ISO 14001:2026” is a commonly used working reference, the final version and publication year will be confirmed once the revision process is complete. The upcoming update is expected to strengthen alignment with global sustainability goals and emerging environmental risks.
